First introduced in 1995, the prescription drug OxyContin is a morphine derivative used to treat moderate to severe pain. Oxycodone HCl, the drug that makes up Oxycontin, has been available for many years in lower dosages or in combination with aspirin (e.g. Percodan) or acetaminophen (e.g. Tylox). OxyContin is unique because of its time-release formula that enables a larger dose to be administered at one time and releases the drug into the blood stream over the course of twelve hours. With OxyContin, patients are able to take fewer pills per day.

OxyContin can cause physical dependency if taken daily, and the user will experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop taking the drug. Serious injury and death have also been attributed to the drug. Since its introduction, the drug has received substantial press due to the large number of cases of illegal diversion and abuse.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has strengthened its precautions in the labeling of OxyContin Tablets, including issuing their strongest warning - a Black Box Warning. Currently, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is requesting that family physicians and non-specialists be banned from prescribing the drug.

OxyContin is manufactured by Purdue Pharma, who has been criticized for failing to provide adequate warning of the risk of addiction associated with the drug. Numerous lawsuits nationwide allege aggressive marketing and under emphasis of OxyContin's highly addictive nature. In January of 2003, Purdue Pharma agreed to suspend medical journal advertisements for the medication due to the FDA's allegation of misleading advertising. In January 2004, congressional investigators charged Purdue Pharma with sending promotional videos to physicians that minimized the dangers of the pain-relief drug. In January of that same year, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released a report citing problems with the marketing of Oxycontin. The FDA also warned Purdue Pharma about advertisements that do not include adequate notification regarding the "potentially fatal risks associated with OxyContin".

If you were prescribed OxyContin, you may be entitled to file a legal claim against the drug maker for negligence in product labeling and marketing. Contact a qualified attorney at The Law Office of Paul Hogan, LLC today for an evaluation of your OxyContin claim.

>> See Our Prescription Negligence FAQs